Sumo wrestlers are known for their massive size and ability to eat tons of food at one go. However, former sumo wrestler Takakeisho Satō made headlines for an opposite reason: his incredible weight loss.

Satō revealed how he lost an astounding 100 pounds in just 8 months with one simple method.

"I don't have to force myself to eat anymore. I've reduced physical activity, so I eat less. It's not that I've lost weight intentionally, but I don't have to gorge myself anymore. I never had a strong appetite, to begin with," Takakeisho explained.

The 5-foot-9 wrestler won four Grand Sumo championships in a decade, but suffered multiple injuries. Moreover, he weighed a whopping 350 to 410 pounds, making things even more challenging. When he was finally forced to retire at just 28, Satō decided to make a change in his life- eating less.

"I never had a big appetite. When I was an active wrestler, if I let my guard down, I would lose weight quickly. I had to weigh myself every night and every morning and adjust my weight accordingly," he added.

As a wrestler, he was required to maintain a certain weight, and he was consuming almost 10,000 calories a day. It makes sense how Satō could end up losing a significant amount of weight by just taking care of his diet.

By shedding 100 pounds in 8 months, Satō brought his weight down to around 250 to 300 pounds. However, he has not completely given up the sport even after his early retirement.

What Takakeisho Satō’s Current Plans Look Like

After retiring early in September 2024, Satō, who is now known as Takakeisho Takanobu, did not entirely quit the sport. He quickly moved from wrestling to becoming the head of a professional sumo training stable.

In January 2026, he took over the Tokiwayama Stable, after which it was subsequently named the Minatogawa Stable. As per Sumo Stats, he became known as one of the youngest stablemasters in his profession, becoming the head at just the age of 29.

Now, he professionally mentors young sumo wrestlers, developing new training methods and managing daily operations. Moreover, he is responsible for recruiting newer, talented sumo wrestlers, even making future plans for the stable.

Satō’s remarkable physical transformation proves how elite athletes can quickly change their physiques according to the demands on their lives. Moreover, he shows that retirement does not necessarily equal completely losing touch with your passion or the sport you were in.

What do you think of Satō’s incredible weight loss journey? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore